EFCC Arraigns NEDC Official, Others over N2.2bn Contract Fraud Allegations
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former coordinator of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Danjuma Mohammed, alongside other defendants, over alleged involvement in a N2.2 billion contract fraud.
The defendants were arraigned on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 54-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and money laundering.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed during the award and execution of several contracts under the NEDC, which were purportedly inflated, diverted or executed in violation of procurement laws.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the defendants conspired to fraudulently award contracts meant for humanitarian and development projects in the North-East region, resulting in the loss of public funds amounting to N2.2 billion.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons abused their official positions by approving payments for contracts that were either not executed or were grossly inflated, thereby defrauding the Federal Government.
When the charges were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC urged the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
However, defence lawyers applied for bail on behalf of their clients, arguing that the offences were bailable and that the defendants were willing to cooperate with the court and stand trial.
Justice presiding over the matter adjourned the case to a later date for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody pending the outcome of the bail hearing.
The EFCC maintained that it would continue to pursue the case to ensure accountability in the management of public funds, especially those allocated for the reconstruction and development of the conflict-affected North-East region.
